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Arrested Development to be revived for Internet subscribers

Story by Jack Foley

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ARRESTED Development is returning in more ways than one.

Weeks after the stars of the comedy confirmed that a movie version of the show is very much in the works, 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine Television have announced that they will produce original first-run episodes of the series specifically for the Internet-subscription serivice Netflix for the first time in five years.

In a statement released on Friday, Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer, said: “Arrested Development is one of the finest American comedies in TV history and its return through Netflix is a perfect example of how we are working closely with studios and networks to provide consumers with entertainment they love.”

Fox, meanwhile, described the news as a potential “game changer” for the industry.

Peter Levinsohn, Fox Filmed Entertainment president of new media and digital distribution, commented: “Netflix’s bold entrance into original programming presents an exciting new opportunity for our two companies. Bringing a classic show back to production on new episodes exclusively for Netflix customers is a game changer, and illustrates the incredible potential the new digital landscape affords great content providers like 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine.”

The new episodes would come in addition to the movie, which cast members talked up during this month’s New Yorker Festival, and which prompted Jason Bateman to Tweet: “10 episodes and the movie. Probably shoot them all together next summer for a release in early ’13.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new episodes of Arrested Development will be available to members of the DVD rental service from the first half of 2013.